I wish I had a similar decision to make!
In terms of alternatives, have you had a read of this?
https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/...d.php?t=165877
Looks like amazing workmanship. Just had a quick look, Bintel has the planewave at a tick over twenty grand, and OPTCORP perhaps fifteen or sixteen plus imported?
I might be remembering incorrectly, but his are around ten, which means a nice imaging camera can be bolted on for free in comparison to the planewave
If it was me, I'd be throwing money at Stefan for sure! Not just for the price and nice looking rig he produces, or the buying-local nature of it, but for after sales service, being able to talk to and perhaps meet the maker and have him tune things if things are going wrong... thats priceless for me.